As per report a total of 197 trains were cancelled as well as schools and colleges were closed in several districts of odisha and West bengal in view of Cyclone ‘Dana’, which could hit coastal areas of West bengal and odisha on october 25. Flight operations remain unaffected as of now even as airport authorities in kolkata began preparations to tackle any situation arising out of the possible cyclonic storm. West bengal chief minister advised tourists from the state, who are visiting puri in odisha, to return home.

Perhaps the governments of both odisha and bengal have decided to evacuate people from vulnerable areas, while the indian Coast Guard has been put on high alert. The MeT said the severe cyclonic storm is likely to bring torrential rain to the two neighbouring states, and the entire eastern coast from puri and West bengal coast is likely to be impacted. A depression over the Bay of bengal is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the Odisha-West bengal coasts between puri and Sagar Island in the early hours of october 25 with a wind speed of 100 to 110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph, as per the india Meteorological Department (IMD). It has issued warnings advising fishermen not to venture into the sea from october 23 to 25.

Moreover West bengal said its government is ready to face the cyclone. “Schools will remain closed in seven districts from october 23 to 26 as a precautionary measure. We do not want to take any risk. Schools and colleges are sometimes used as shelters for people,” chief minister Mamata Banerjee said, adding that those residing in low-lying areas of coastal districts have been asked to move.

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